Jim Nuovo (Chronic Disease Management Program, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, California, USA) Thomas Balsbaugh (Chronic Disease Management Program, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, California, USA) Bridget Levich (Chronic Disease Management Program, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, California, USA)
Abstract
Objective: To assess differences between women and men in developing an action plan for the management of their type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: We chose a convenience sample of the first 153 patients who participated in a four-part educational class focused on the management of type 2 DM. The classes are run by a certified diabetes educator and have a specific format. We use a decision wheel to assist in the development of a patient-generated action plan to address a specific health behavior change. For each patient we documented age, gender, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Results: There was a difference in choice of action plan based on gender (p - 0.014). For women the distribution of action plans was exercise 38%, nutrition 22%, medication 20%, no action plan 13%, and monitoring 7%. For men the distribution of action plans was exercise 26%, nutrition 26%, medication 6%, no action plan 26%, and monitoring 16%. Age did not affect the choice of an action plan (p - 0.964); however, patients with a lower HbA1c level chose exercise more frequently (p < 0.002). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest there may be gender-based differences affecting the selection of an action plan for patients with type 2 DM. Further research is needed to determine the relative weight of other important factors on the decision for a particular action plan; e.g. sociodemographic factors, stage of readiness to change, and comorbid conditions.
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